CEA said the special focus on startups is part of its commitment of fostering innovation as a national strategy

“Startups are jumpstarting our economy and are paving the way for America’s future,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Creating a unique membership category for startups is another way we are pursuing our strategic goal of promoting innovation, the lifeblood of our industry. Many of the individuals behind startups have put all of their resources on the line to make sure their companies have the best chance of succeeding. Every bit of support we can offer as an organization is critical not only to advancing the consumer electronics industry but also to ensuring the world’s most cutting-edge technologies end up in consumers’ hands.”

CEA’s startup category will offer regular membership at a reduced rate of $95 per year. To qualify for this membership, companies must be in development of a technology product, service or app that has been introduced into the market within the last year or will be within the next year; have annual sales of less than $1 million; be located in North America; and not have been a CEA member within the past two years. Companies will receive regular CEA membership benefits at the reduced rate in the startup category for up to two consecutive years.

Signup for the new category begins Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Those interested can email membership@ce.org for more information, or visit the Experience CEA booth in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center onsite at International CES, held Jan. 8-11, 2013.